Solidarity in Port Said

Activists are trying to support the Coastal City of Port Said today with a massive march. The Nour party, is in attendance, as are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. There are reports of an economic blockade of the city.

There have been reports that police failed to act to stop the football riots in Port Said which resulted in so many deaths. Further, the riots may not have been caused by the ultras themselves, but by the thugs, which some argue are a tool of the SCAF to keep the country destabilized so that they can stay in power. The Attorney General of Egypt is planning to release a report soon on the causes of the deaths.

How A Tragic Football Riot May have Revived the Egyptian Revolution.

Attorney General to Charge Security Officials in Port Said Violence

Raucous Soccer Fans Make Ideal Egyptian Protesters

Policing Reform and Reforming Police

Football violence: why?

The news from Egypt today is very distressing. There has been a horrible riot at a football match in Port Said in which hundreds were injured, and over 70 killed.

Outbreaks of football related violence have been linked to the absence of police on the streets in the post-revolutionary period.

From a psychological standpoint, I wonder why fans are turning to violence around football in this period? Is this an outlet of frustrations on other fronts?

 I just learned the terrible news that an American University in Cairo student was among those killed. President Lisa Anderson issued this statement. 

Dear AUC Community,

I am deeply saddened to report that one of our students, Omar Aly Saad Mohsen, a senior scheduled to graduate this February in economics, was among the 79 people killed in the tragic soccer match that took place yesterday in Port Said.

To mourn the loss of our student and the many other victims who lost their lives, the University will observe a day of mourning on Sunday, February 5. The University will be open but all classes are suspended and a University-wide memorial service will be held at noon in Bartlett Plaza.

We extend our condolences to Omar’s family and friends and all others who feel this terrible loss.

--

Lisa Anderson

President

The American University in Cairo